Parish Council News

Resignation: It is with much regret that we announce the resignation of Cllr Paul Fowle. Paul worked extremely hard on a traffic calming scheme which was advertised on the village website. This scheme is in its final stages, thanks to Paul's hard work. Paul also worked on the village website and we are looking for a resident to continue with this work. If you are interested please contact the clerk on gaydonpc@gmail.com

New Chair: we welcome Cllr John Davies our new Chair and thank him for accepting this role. His start was potentially a baptism of fire as decisions were made regarding play provision in Gaydon.

Playground: we thank Cllr Annette Conway and her working party for researching three alternative proposals for the current play area. In light of the hostility and bad feeling, it was agreed not to proceed with these. It has now been agreed that the whole issue is to be looked at by the new Parish Council that we hope will emerge in May 2019; although actions will be taken if inspection reports of the current play equipment demand it. In addition, Cllr Adrian Claxton is to investigate three quotes for levelling the parish field. There was mention of surveys to be undertaken before any further actions are taken.

PC Responsibilities: as was pointed out by Cllr John Brine in the last well-attended meeting, the Parish Council has a breadth of other responsibilities well beyond play provision. There are, for example, more planning applications to consider; a draft Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment to consider (is the Core Strategy to be reviewed?); there is the distribution of a locally agreed governance review to deal with; and there is the issue regarding speeding on local roads.

Traffic-calming: on this specific issue, Cllr John Davies will soon be finalising the traffic-calming scheme with County Highways, with a view to adoption at a Parish Council meeting shortly. Extension of the 30mph speed limit on the Kineton Road, gateways at all three entrances and repeater signs are included in the amended scheme. A draft scheme has been displayed on the website.

Facebook: please note that the Parish Council is not responsible for the community Facebook page. We understand that this was started by a resident and is administered by residents. Whilst there might be Parish Council matters posted on this website, it is best to check websites to ensure accuracy. The Parish Council does not have an official Facebook site.

Other Resignations: The debate regarding the field and play provision has often been very personal and hurtful - something that is especially regrettable. The impacts have already started to happen. We've had our Chair resign, our Clerk has resigned and there will be other resignations to follow. The expertise and dedication of our clerk will be very much missed by so many, including the core of councillors that make up Gaydon Parish Council.

Clerk: We will be looking for a new clerk. If any resident is interested, please email gaydonpc@gmail.com by 30th September. This is a salaried position working 6 hours a week. Hourly rate will be dependent on experience and qualifications; it is also open to non-residents.

Councillors: The Parish Council currently has two vacancies and four interested residents. We shall be discussing, at our September meeting, the best way to take this forward. If you are interested in becoming a councillor please do email gaydonpc@gmail.com.

Next meeting is on Monday, 3rd September, at 7.45pm. Residents are welcome to attend. This will be the last meeting that Corinne Hill will be clerking for Gaydon. JB

Nature Notes for August

'The green, green grass...'

Though there is no sign as yet, the prolonged dry spell, accompanied by high temperatures, may be ending in the next few weeks. The brownish verges and lawns have perked up a little with only a small amount of rain so far...For the first time I have seen tropical plants, like my years-old Goji Berry tree, producing fruit - whilst native apple trees seem to have suffered, dropping fruit early.

Sadly, after a great start in spring, the familiar butterfly species have not as yet appeared on the many Buddleia bushes that are in flower around the village and coincide with the emergence of familiar Peacocks, red Admirals, Painted Ladies, and Small Tortoiseshells. A few worn Commas and Speckled woods are on the wing and the Holly Blue is often seen flitting around the evergreens.

When I refer to my favourite book, 'The English Countryside' by Oliver Rackham, I see that he records some very hot years. The main fodder crop was hay then, which was piked on top of Rings of Staddle Stones in Ricks (in order to aerate underneath and avoid rats and spontaneous combustion). l have in fact seen fire engines on several fields putting out field fires this year. Silage replaced hay as winter fodder but this year it is scarce; but the hay is good quality and may be used again on some farms.

We are very fortunate in Gaydon to have a lovely cemetery, an old hay meadow full of flower species and butterflies and a hand-scythed Churchyard with many Grasshoppers and cowslips. The church field, known also as Watts's field, was attached to the Forge house until recently. IT IS ALSO A RARE SURVIVING HAY MEADOW WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN PLOUGHED. There are clumps of Yellow Rattle, Cowslips and a great number of old-fashioned grass species.

It has now been divided in two. An uncut area is a proposed nature reserve with a few allotments on the site of some old Pig styes. The other section which includes the public footpath has been closely mown (avoiding the Cowslips this spring) bought for leisure-use by the village.

I am rather concerned that this ancient pasture land, which is irreplaceable, may be under threat from a plan to level it, destroy the pasture and replace it with a grass surface. No longer will the remaining Swallows be able to catch insects or Rooks dig for worms. The centuries-old soil structure will be gone for ever. A survey will show that it is the habitat of many locally rare species. This field is regularly patrolled at night by often-heard Tawny Owls and Barn owls.

A few weeks ago I even witnessed a short-eared Owl being mobbed by the local crows. The huge number of Voles around at present attract these birds.

The last Swallows in the village have now had a second brood, same building but a new nest. Another great surprise was to see two large families of Housemartins emerging from the cottage next door to the Forge and gathering on a nearby roof. Both these declining species use the Church meadow along with a few woodpeckers and many other species of birds. While I am working on my allotment I often see Buzzards and Red Kites, too, in the skies overhead, encouraged by the clear blue skies and thermals. Old pastures are rare now with 90% gone since the sixties; old grassland must be cherished for future generations. Another surprise is the return of Polecats whose dark coats have made them more visible in the fields. This species, once rare, resembling a ferret, is often seen at dusk. Its prey, Rabbits, are still scarce but no doubt the many rats and mice have replaced them. Remember to leave a shallow dish of water, weighted by a few stones, for local birds and Hedgehogs. Bernard Price

New homes for People with Local Connections

Edgehill View is steadily taking shape and we are hoping to start marketing the properties shortly.

The development comprises 15 houses ranging in size from two to five

bedrooms, with 5 of the properties (Plots 6 to 10) exclusively available to people with a local connection to Gaydon, for a period of 6 weeks from when they are first released.

With the discount applied, the houses will be going on the market from £162,000 freehold for the 2 bedroom units and £181,500 freehold for the 3 bedroom units. The same discount must be applied when the properties are resold, based on their market value then, but this is a real opportunity for people with local connections to get onto the housing ladder.

If you have local connections and are interested in any of the houses you should contact me, Martin Hayward, and I will advise you on your eligibility to buy. After 18 September they will be available to any purchaser.

If you would like more information, wish to register your interest or would like to arrange a viewing, please do not hesitate to contact me, Martin Hayward, at The Old School, Kineton Road, telephone 01926 642963, mobile 07768 007821 or email hdlimited@btinternet.com

The Vicar Writes:

We've had some wonderful weather and events this summer. However, I think the group church service, intended to be in the vicarage garden, was on about the only day that rained in July; but thanks to three intrepid cooks with large umbrellas the BBQ still went ahead! Then John, the Bishop of Warwick, confirmed six people from our community on a sunny 5th August. In September we will be having a number of harvest services and socials.

To commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War we are holding an event on Saturday, 13 October, from 2pm to 5pm at All Saints' Burton Dassett called 'Forget-me-not!'.

Understandably, we all like to commemorate Remembrance Day at our own memorials within our own villages and so 'Forget-me-not!' will be a social occasion, where we can join together as one community to remember and honour those who have sacrificed themselves to secure and protect our freedom: members of the armed forces who died in the line of duty, their families and those touched by war.

Forget-me-not! will be a café-style afternoon tea, to include a variety of exhibitions put together by individuals and groups from across our communities. You are invited to attend any time between 2 and 5pm.

There will be Remembrance Day Crafts for children and adults;

Talks - Memories of a German Jewish refugee: told by her daughter;
- Trench Art: Memories and Souvenirs of War;
- Dig for Victory: Allotments yesterday and today;
Recorded war time memories of those in our community;
Wartime songs and songs of remembrance.

You are invited to contribute wartime pictures and memories to our Wall of Remembrance. Please contact me if you'd like to get involved or to contribute to this century community event. Rev'd Nicki Chatterton

Summer Holiday Family Activities at the British Motor Museum

Throughout August - 2 September: This summer the British Motor Museum is celebrating Land Rover's 70th Birthdaywith some great themed family activities! All activities are included in Museum admission. Family ticket £39. Buy 1 day and get 12 months free when you Gift Aid your entrance. For moredetails visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/events/family-activities or call 01926 641188.

Mobile Library

The Library will visit the Telephone Box at Gaydon from 1.35-2.05pm on Monday 17 September.

Friendship Club

This month's meeting will be at 2.30pm at the home of Jan Ewers, 2 The Cottages, Gaydon Hill Farm. In August a picnic lunch was enjoyed in the lovely garden of 2 Anson Close thanks to the hospitality of Josie and Francis Liddington.

Coffee Morning

This month's Coffee Morning and Bring-and-Buy will be held in the Village Hall at 11am on Saturday the 8th. There will be a bookstall and a raffle. Coffee and biscuits are 50p. Please come along and meet your fellow-villagers. Proceeds go towards church upkeep.

Candle-lit Harvest Evensong

Prayer Book Harvest Evensong will be celebrated at All Saints' Church, Chadshunt, at 3.30pm on Sunday 9 September.

Gaydon Village Store

We are pleased to announce that Darren Frost is the recipient of our latest Gaydon Store Membership draw. He receives a family membership for Compton Verney, valid for one year. We hope you and your family enjoy using it, Darren! The Committee would like to thank Compton Verney for their ongoing generous support of the Gaydon Village Store.

The matter of theft from the shop has now been resolved by the police, with a community resolution resulting in a payment to the shop of approximately £200. As the theft took place over a number of months this does not recoup the losses which are believed to be in excess of £1600. We are beginning to see improvements, which will help to keep the shop afloat.

Please help us to keep this valuable asset going for the village by supporting your shop and, if you have time, joining our volunteer team.

Neighbourhood Watch

The number of shed burglaries is rising across the area. The Police have issued the following advice note:

Garages and sheds are vulnerable to burglary, as they are generally quite flimsy structures, but they should not be forgotten.

Padlocks can be fitted to garage and shed doors with extra hasps and staples; windows can have internal diamond-mesh grilles; ladders should be chained to a wall; and tools and other implements should be visibly marked with house number and postcode, both to deter the thieves and assist the police with identification of the rightful owner.

Flag

The flag on the village green was raised on 15 August to mark the birthday of HRH The Princess Royal.

Village Hall News

The next meeting of the Village Hall Committee will be held on Monday 10 September at 8pm in the village hall.

Tourists Tired of Crickets' Cacophony

Apparently, visitors to Provence find the song of the local cicadas too noisy. A mayor near Toulon was shocked that tourists had been asking for insecticides to be put on the trees to silence the cicadas which are celebrated as symbols of Provence. Complaints were even made to the police - much to their amusement - about the noise. Similarly, visitors to the countryside have complained about the cackling of hens and crowing of cockerels ruining their holidays. In July, a tourist asked the mayor of Les Bondons in the Cévennes to silence the bell of the village church in the early mornings. It was pointed out to her that her gîte was the old rectory and her request was refused.

Farewell

To all our friends and neighbours in Gaydon, Claire and Martyn would like to say Goodbye as we move on to pastures new. We have lived in Gaydon for the last eleven years and have made many wonderful friends in that time. We shall miss you all, at the church, in the shop, in the pub and just around the village; but we are sure that we will be frequent visitors to see how you all are doing. Please welcome to Oakbeams and to Gaydon, Drew and Lindsay who are moving in. If they are as happy as we have been, they will be happy indeed. Love to you all and God bless, Martyn and Claire Hamm, oh and Penny and George too!

'Forget-me-not'

Messy Church

The next Messy Church will take place on Sunday 16 September in Fenny Compton village hall at 3.30pm.

Obituaries

David Hayes

We record with sadness the death of David Hayes on 26 June 2018. A service of thanksgiving was conducted by the Reverend Nicki Chatterton in St Giles' Church Gaydon on 24 July. The committal then took place in Gaydon Cemetery. Our sympathy is extended to his family and friends.

John Trevor Davies

It is with regret that we announce the death of John Davies on 2nd August 2018. The service of thanksgiving for his life took place at All Saints' Church, Ladbroke, on 22nd August. We offer our condolences to his friends and family.